Module 2.1: Surfaces, Exploring TINs and DEMs

For this week's lab we examined TIN and DEM elevation models. Some of the learning outcomes for this week's lab were being able to create a 3D visualization of elevation models. Understanding how to create and modify a TIN using various input datasets and being able to compare TIN and DEM elevation models in terms of their properties and derivatives.

This lab was broken down into 4 different parts.

For Part A we were tasked with draping a remotely sensed image over a terrain surface to get a greater understanding of the image. For Part B we were tasked to use a DEM to develop a suitability model for a ski resort. For Part C we were tasked with exploring TINS. Finally for Part D we were tasked creating and analyzing TINs.

Below I have shared the outcome of Part D. Here you are seeing the capture of the two sets of contour lines. One derived from the TIN model and the other from the spline interpolated DEM.

Overall, the DEM derived contours are more accurate for representing continuous terrain surfaces, especially when point density is moderate and terrain variation is gradual. The spline method better captures nuanced elevation changes and avoids the geometric constraints inherent in TIN triangulation.